Mechanical bull

Prior to the development of a bucking machine, a simpler device was created by attaching ropes (sometimes a rope-and-pulley system) to the ends of a large barrel, suspending it from four points, often tall posts or the rafters of a barn.

Although mechanical bulls are still routinely used for rodeo training, they are also utilized as an amusement ride, both as a mobile rental (i.e., party entertainment) and stationary entertainment found in bars, restaurants, and clubs; these may be surrounded by a blown-air inflated structure similar to a "bounce house" or foam pits for safety.

They hold a rope or peg on the shoulder or neck of the machine, and the person who stays on for the whole minute without falling off wins a small prize.

In this movie John Travolta and Debra Winger demonstrated the art of riding a mechanical bull to the larger movie-going population.

[2] Mechanical bulls can be seen in the films Urban Cowboy, Stir Crazy, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Feeder's 2012 music video for their single "Idaho", features actor Daniel Mays riding a mechanical bull.

A mechanical bull riding competition serves as a plot point in the television show Patriot.

He sued for $50 million in damages claiming that the ride was deceptive because there was no warning about the steel frame underneath the pad that the man struck when he was thrown from the bull.